Process of and apparatus for developing film



Feb. '12, 1935. T. M. lNGMAN Er A1.

PROCESS OF AND APPARATUS FOR DEVELOPINGFILM Filed April 12, 1952 '7 Sheets-Sheet 1 lllllA.

NNN 1w l. 1,1,

IN vg/v TOM: f Thomas M'. /ng

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Feb 12,v T. M. INGMAN A1. 1,991,249

Feb. 12, 1935-. T. M. INGMAN Er AL NG FILM PROCESS VO1 AND APPARATUS FOR DEVELOPI 7 Shets-Sheet 3 Filed 'Apr-11 12, 1952 /4 ro/NEX Thomas M. /fz maan,v

Feb.1z, 1935..

T. M, lNGMAN El AL PROCESS 0F AND APPARATUS FOR 'DEVELOPING FILM Filed April 12, 1932 '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 A Troia/v5 x Feb/12, 1935. l S T. M. INGMAN ET AL PROCESS 0F AND APPARATUS FOR DEVELPING FILM Filed April 12, 1932 7 sheets-smet 6 Feb. 12, 1935, -'r. M. lNMAN Er A1.

ING FILM PEocEss 0E AND APPARATUS PoR DEVELOP '7 Smets-sheet '7 v Filed Apr-11 12, 1932 A Trek/ver through developing,

rammedv Feb. I.12, 193s uNiTEo STATES PROCESS F AND APPARATUS FOB DEVELOPING FHM Thomas M.

Ingman, FrankE. Garbutt, and Leigh BLGrlfth, Los Angeles, Calif.

Winsum April 12, 1932, serial No. 604,111:

2s calm. (ci. 95-94) This `invention has general reference to the art of propelling long strips, ture film, through 4'treating fluids. The present invention is designed particularly to meet in a simple but most problems encountered in developing, fixing, washing, and drying motion picture film, and is therefore spoken of hereinafter in reference in that connection, but it will be understood that the invention is also applicable to propulsion of film or other stripsthrough other baths and. treating apparatus as well, for example, coloring solutions.

In developing` motion picture film, the iilin strip is ordinarily run in succession through the developing solution, the fixing solution, the water wash, and finally the dryer, the film strip being continuously supplied to the developing solution and being delivered continuously from the dryer. Parts of the same nlm strip are thus in solutions while other parts are passing through. Ithe dryer. The principal diillculty heretofore encountered in propelling the film throughsuch solutions has arisen from the expansion of the nlm as it becomes wet, and the shrinkage of the film as it dries. Since one part of the film strip is undergoing wet treatment, and therefore expanding, while another part of the film is undergoing drying, and there fore shrinking, both elongation and shrinkage must be contended with in the same nlm strip.

The diiilculties arising from said conditions and the attempts which have been made to obviate them are briefly referred to in an application entitled Film developing system Serial No. 489,600, led October 18, 1930, by Ingman, Garbutt, and Barkelew.

The application just referred to discloses a method and apparatus for propelling a film.

fixing, and washing solutions by force arising from the flow of the solutions through the conduits containing them. The present invention is directed to an improved apparatus of the above character and to a process and apparatus for propelling a lm strip through a gaseous bath by subjecting the nlm to the propulsive force arising from iiowing the gas comprising the bath.

It is an object of the invention to provide a developing machine or film treating machine in which a pair of nlrns may be handled in surface-to-surface engagement, possible to treat two films where, and in the same spaced; single nlm is now treated or developedin standard types of nlm handling apsuch as motion piceffective manner the numerous' thereby making it paratus. This is made possible in our invention by the fact that the movement of any nlm through the device after it leaves the inlet sprocket of the machine is controlled entirely by the speed of the inlet sprocket and the contraction and elongation of the nlm as it passes through the consecutive steps of the treatment to which it is subjected. As will be hereinafter fully explained, there are no sprockets within our machine for controlling the speed or movement of a film; therefore, after films are delivered into the machine at a controlled rate of movement by the inlet sprocket or sprockets, each film may elongate or contract independently, and each film will be kept taut by the propulsiva action of the fluids. In the ordinary use of the invention a single film is carried through each channel or path of movement, but' where it is desired capacity of a treating device such as is disclosed hereinafter by conducting a pair of lms simultaneously in back-to-back arrangement through each of the channels or paths of movement, it may be desirable to separate the films of each pair when they arrive at the drying tubes, and conduct them through separate drying tubes instead of through a single drying tube. In the standard forms of film treating and developing apparatus now employed the varying rates of elongation and contraction of separate film strips make it impossible to conduct a pair of films in back-to-back relation through a single lm treating channel or over a ysingle series of supporting rollers pr sprockets.

Various other objects and advantages of our invention will appear and be more fully understood from the following detailed description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic elevation of a preferred form of apparatus embodying our invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of the nlm regulating mechanism shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view, partiallyl sectioned, of the portion shown in the dotted enclosure 3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged section of the adjustable positioning device for varying the length of the developing conduit through which the illm.

passes.

Fig. 5 is a section taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a section taken on' the line 6-8 of Fig. 4.

to double the production Fig. 'I is an enlarged view of the portion shown in the dotted'enclosure 7 o! Fig. 1. ,l

Fig. 8 is an enlarged view or the portion shown in the dotted enclosure 8 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 9 is a section taken on the line 9 9 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a oi' Fig. 8.

Fig. 11 is taken on the section taken on the line 10-10 an enlarged view of the conduit line 11-11 of Fig. l1.

Fig. 12 is an enlarged view of the portion shown in the dotted enclosure 12 ot Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is an enlarged view taken on the line 13-13 of Fig. 1. A

Fig. 14 is an enlarged view taken' on the line 14-14 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 15 is an enlarged view showing the manner in which the glass tubing is connected together to form conduits.

Fig. 16 is a view taken on the line 16-18 of Fig. 15.

Fig. 17 is an enlarged view shown in the dotted enclosure 17 Fig. 18 is an elevational view showing an alternative form of film controlling mechanism which may be employed in the practice oi the invention.

Fig. 19 is a o! the portion o! Fig. 1.

side elevation corresponding to Fig. 18.

developing and 141 fixing conduits, 160, 161, washing conduits, 210 a drying conduit As best shown in Fig. 2, the film 10 is mounted on a shaft 11. The shaft 11 is journalled in an arm 12 mounted on a shaft 13 on which a balancing weight 14 and a lever supply reel When the ilm supply reel 10 is in the posifor it between supports 24 and 33.

4is so weighted and keeps it out o! engagement with the hub 23, thereby allowing the sprocket 22 to rotate andthenlmtopassfromthetilmsupplyreel 10 over the sprocket 22 into the chamber 31. The chamber 31 is located under the master sprocket 40 between the support 24 and a sup- DOrt 33.

In order to change the lm supply reel 10, said reel is pulled down, as shown in Fig. 2, so that it rests on a rubber 27 which is provided for it on a table 28. When said supply reel 10 is pulled down, the shaft 11 and the lever arm 15 are rotated to the right, which allows the brake rod 20 to move upward under the action of the spring 25. The end o1' the spring 25 then no longer contacts the brake strip 28, thereby allowing said brake strip to contact the hub 23 oi the sprocket 22, which prevents the sprocket As soon as to the end o1' contact with the brake strip 26, and forcing the brake strip 28 out of contact with the hub 23.

The illm is threaded from the Supply reel 10 over the sprocket 22 under the weighted roller 30 and into engagement with the master sprocket 40. The weighted roller 30 is provided so that a source of illm may be provided between the sprocket 22 and the master sprocket 40 which may be drawn upon when changing the illm supply reel 10.

The weighted roller 30 is adapted to move up and down in the chamber 31 which is provided The roller that it provides sufficient film tension to the illm supply reel 10 to unwind the film from the supply reel 10 slightly faster than it is taken up by the master sprocket 40. The weighted roller 30 therefore normally rests on the bottom o1' the chamber when the film handlingv device is in operation and the brake strip When the illm supply reel 10 has been changed. the films spliced together, and the 111m reel placed in feeding position, the weighted roller 30 again descends into chamber 31.

The flhn coming from the supply reel 10 and the illm coming from the drying conduit 210 upon a shai't 41, the speed oi' the sprocket 40 being controlled by a suitable speed controlling device such as a constant-speed motor 42. As shown in Fig. 2, the constant-speed motor is provided with a gear box 43 and drives a shaft 44 and a shaft 45 at a constant rate of speed. The shaft 41 is provided with a pulley 48. and 47. 'I'he pulleys 46 from the weighted roller 30 is adapted to be kept in engagement with the teeth of the sprocket 40 by means of rollers o1 and 52 which are mounted on a bracket 53. The film coming from the conduit 210, as shown at 54a, is adapted to be kept in engagement with the teeth of the sprocket 40 by means of rollers 54 and 55 .which are mounted on a bracket 56. Brackets 53 and 56 are mounted on shafts 57 and 58 respectively, and are connected togethe'x` at their upper ends by means of a bar 59.

lThe master sprocket 40 vis provided with a ratchet dog 60 which engages a ratchet 61 nonrotatably mounted on the constant-speed shaft 41, thereby preventing the sprocket 40 from ro tating faster than a predetermined speed. -The ratchet dog 60 is held in engagement with the ratchet 01 by means of a spring 62 which is mounted on the master sprocket 40 to the rear of the ratchet dog 60. It will be perceived that the sprocket 40 is not driven by the motor 42 but by the film, and that the motor 42 merely serves as a speed controlling means to limit the speed at which the iilm may treating device. f

A button is provided on the table 28. The button is connected to a rod 66, the other end of which is connected to one arm 67 of a bell crank 68. which is mounted on a shaft 69. The arm 70 of the, beil crank 68 is connected to the lower end of a connecting rod 71, the upper end of which is connected to the rightward end of a double lever 72.

A button i5 is `provided on a table 29. The button is connected to a rod 76, the other end of which is connected to one arm 77 of a bell crank 78 which is mounted on. a shaft 79. The arm 80 of the bell crank 78 is connected to the lower end of a connecting rod 81. The upperend of the connecting rod 81 is connected to the Jleftward end of the double lever 72. The double lever 7 2 is pivoted on a shaft 82 which is directly below the driven shaft 41 and is provided with a projection 83.

When either button 65 or 75 is pushed inward, the connecting rods 71 and 81 and bell cranks 68 and 78 operate to rotate the double lever 72 in a clockwise direction, thereby causing the projection 83 to engage the outer end of the ratchet dog 60, thereby releasing the ratchet dog 60 from engagement .with ratchet 61, compressing spring 62, and preventing the master sprocket 40 from rotating in forward direction. Pulling outbutton 65 or 75 reverses this action, forcing projection 83 out of engagement with, the end of the ratchet dog 60, which allows the spring 62 to force the other end` of the ratchet dog 60 into engagement with the ratchet 61.

As shown in Fig. 1, the film is threaded around the master sprocket 40 over a'rollerI 86, under a roller 87, over slidable rollers 88, and into the ltrough-like conduit 120 by means of the positioning device 100. The slidable rollers 88 are ,mounted on standards 89 adapted to slide along the upper surface of the conduit 120 and to support the film at intervals before said iilrn is guided into the conduit 120 by the positioning device 100.

The positioning device is adapted to slide along the upper edge of conduit and is adapted to vary the length of time during which the film is in the developing solution without changing the speed of travel of the film or the rate of flow of said developing solution. The positioning device 100 is constructed to allow enter the `film n the conduit 120 atany the nlm to b e placed A,

desired pointv with a minimum of disturbance to either4 thefilm or the developing solution in said conduit. In other words, it is designed to allow the developing solution to pass around the edges and through the perforations of the film as the film is guided into said conduit, and thereby prevent the developing solution from piling upl at the rear of the film.

As best shown in Figs. 4, 5, and 6, the positioningdevice 100 consists of an upper roller 101, and a lower roller 105. The upper roller 101 is mounted on a shaft 102 which is journalled inl supports 103 and 104. The upper roller 101 is provided with flanges 111 and lm treads 112 between which the rollers are undercut to clear the film, as at 113. Supports 103 and 104 are adapted to slide along the upper edges cf conduit 120 and are guided by guide means 109 and 110v respectively to which they are attached by means of screws 114. The guide means 109 and 110 extend into the conduit 120 and are adapted toengage the sides of said conduit as diagrammatic'ally indicated bythe numeral 115, and are connected together by means of cross bars 116. The lower roller 105 is mounted on a shaft 106 which is journalled in members 107 and 108. The members 107 and 108 are connected to the supports 103 and 104 respectively by means of screws 117, and also assist in guiding the positioning device in the trough or conduit by engaging the side walls thereof.

The numeral of Fig. 1 indicates a tank which is connected to a developer supply tank 122 by means of a pipe line 124, and a pump 123 is provided in the pipe line 124 to pump the developing solution to the tank 125.` The conduit 120'slopes downwardly from the tank 125 and discharges into the upper part of a tank 126. Mounted in the tank 126 isa roller 127 and a guide 135. The guide is adapted to guide the loose filml around the roller 127 and thereby facilitate the initial threading and minimize the possibility of subsequent fouling.- It also assists in directing the liquid around the roller 127`and minimizes the tendency of the liquid to form cross currents in the 'tank 126. The bottom portion of the conduit 120 extends into the tank 126 so that all of the liquid flowing through'said conduit is forced around the roller 127.4 The guide may conveniently be made of sheet metal. l

The tank 126 discharges into the conduit 121 which slopes downwardly and discharges into the upper part of a ta. k 128. A pipe 129 leads from the bottom of the tank 128 to the developer tank 122 where the developing solution may be strengthened or renewed for further use. Mounted in the tank 128 is a roller 130, and guide wires 136 are also mounted in the tank 128. The guide wires 136 are adapted to guide the loose film and thereby facilitate the initial threading and minimize the possibility of subsequent fouling. They rnay be made of closelj.f spaced strips or wire-running in the same direction as the film, or of perforated metal.

The conduits120 and 121 are of slightly greater width than the nlm. This permits an economy of developing solution and a very large percentage of said developing solution to be utilized to propel the film in said conduits.

The film isthreaded under the roller 105 of the positioning device 100,- through the conduit 120, around the roller 127, through the conduit dit 121, and under The nlm rising Fig. 7, passes between squeegees 132 which clean the film of the developing solution, over a roller 133, and then under a roller 142 in a tank 143 to enter the conduit 140.

Referring again to Fig. 1, the tank 143 is connected to a hypo supply tank 144 by means of a pipe line 145, and a pump 146 is provided in said pipe line to pump the hypo from the tank 144 through the pipe line 145 to the tank 143. The conduit 140 slopes downwardly from the tank 143 and discharges into a tank 147 which, as shown in Fig. 17, is provided with a roller 148 and discharges into the conduit 141. The conduit 141 the upper part of a tank 149 in the of which tank 149 is a roller 150. leads from the bottom of the tank the roller 130 in the tank 128. from the roller 130, as shown 1n upper end A pipe 151 strengthened or renewed for further use. The 111m is threaded through the conduit 140, around the roller 148, through the conduit 141, and under the roller 150. The film rising from the roller 150 passes between squeegees 152 which clean the film of the fixing solution, passes over a roller 153, and then under a roller 170 in a tank 175 to enter the conduit 160.

'I'he film is washed in conduits 160, 161, and 162, which are operated independently of each other in a semi-counter-ilow arrangement. We prefer to have the film washed with the'water containing the least impurities just before the fllm enters the drying conduit 210. This results in an economy of water and insures a thorough washing of the film.

The numerals 164, 165, and 166 indicate water supply tanks. Freshwater is supplied to the tank 164 by means of a pipe 167 which is provided with a valve 168. An overflow pipe 170 leads from the tank 164 to the tank 165. An overflow The tank 175 discharges into the conduit 160, which slopes downwardly and discharges into a tank 178. The tank 178 is provided with a roller 179. A pipe 180 leads from the bottom of the tank 178 back to the tank 166. The nlm is threaded through the conduit 160, under the roller and under a roller conduit 161.

179, over a fixed roller 181, 182 in a tank 185 into the vided with a roller 189. A the bottom of the tank 188 to the tank 165. The

slopes downwardly and discharges into roller 206.

After the process has been started, instead of spray on both sides of the film as the film leaves tank 198.

As previously mentioned, one part of the film strip is passing through solutions and therefore expanding, while another part is being dried and therefore contracting, and both elongation and shrinkage must be contended with in the samey film strip. The weighted roller 206 is adapted to compensate for these phenomena and to keep the film in the apparatus under a constant tension.

'I'he nlm is introduced into the conduit 210 through a film passageway 211 formed in a housing 212, as shown to enlarged scale in Fig. 8, between a wall 213 and a film roller 215. Obviously the film passageway 211 must be large enough to allow for all splicesy and patchwork to pass therethrough without damage to the -illm.

The roller 215 is mounted on a shaft 214 and is held in with flanges 219 and film treads 220 between which the roller surface is undercut as at 221. An air passageway 222 in the housing 212 is gradually constricted as shown in Fig. 8 to provide a nozzle for directing the drying gas between the flanges 219 of the roller 215 and into gate valve 224 is adapted to be held in raised position when not in use to close way 222 by means of a spring 225. passageway 222 may be inspected by removing a spring 226 from contact with a cover member 227, which member 227 comprises part oi' the top of the housing 212. 'I'he spring 225 is riveted to the lower end of the member 227. 'Ihe cover member 227 is provided with a finger piece 228 and as the member 227 is removed, the spring 225 no longer contacts the gate valve 224 and allows the gate valve to drop down into a position closing the air passageway 222.

As shown in Fig. 1. the leftward end oi the conduit 210 communicates through a tapered tting 231 with a 111m passageway 235 which is the passage-I provided in a housing 236. Mounted in the housing 236 is a roller 237'which is similar to roller 215. In the walls lying adiacent the roller are labyrinth air pockets (not shown) which are designedto allow the fllm to leave the housing 236 through an opening at 238 with a minimum loss or gas.

Although we can use, heated, but otherwise untreated, air from the atmosphere, we prefer to treat the air sothat its moisture content is less than l grains per pound of air. We have found lthat air having a low moisture content quickly absorbs moisture from Vthe nlm and dries the film in a minimum of time. We prefer to reduce the moisture content of the air by refrigeration, and therefore pass air that has been used, or air from the atmosphere, through a spray type dehumidier 246 and then over brinecoils 241. In using air from the atmosphere we nrst pass it through a viscous illter 239. From the coils 241 the air passes through a pump 242, which pumps the air over a steam coilheater 243, or through a by-pass 244 if the temperature of the air is sumcient to dry the nlm, and then to a pipe line 245 which communicates with the air passageway 222. For the re-use 'of air, a pipe line 246 leads from the housing 236 to the dehumidifier 240.

'Ihe treated air is passed through the air passageway 222 at such a rate, and the air passage- Way 222 is so constructed that the pressure in the air passageway 222 is gradually reduced so that the pressure at -the point where the illm passes over the roller 215 is slightly above atmospheric. The ideal condition is one in which air neither passes into nor out of the film passageway 211. However, in order to be sure that no air passes into the air passageway 222, we prefer to maintain the pressure in the most constricted portion o the air passageway 222 above atmospheric. The conduit 210 is gradually enlarged after it leaves the air passageway 222 in order to gradually reduce air, which tends to minimize turbulence in the conduit, which in turn tends to minimize film flutter. The velocity in the conduit 210 is apprcximately one-fifth of that in the most constricted portion yoi the passageway 222. The connection between the air passageway 222 and the conduit 210 is so designed that the film passes on a straight line after it passes over the roller 215, even though it passes from the rectangular air passageway 222 into the circular conduit 210. The film is propelled in the lower portion of the cond air is above the film As shown in Fig. l, the nlm leaving the drier conduit 210 passes around a film roller 247 to the master sprocket 40. As shown in Fig. 2, a weighted roller 250' is provided so that the illm may be held between the master'sprocket 40 and the sprocket 255 dition while the film take-up reel 260 is being changed. The weighted roller is adapted to move up and down in the chamber 31. The film coming from under the fixed roller 2 47 passes across the master sprocket 40, under the weighted roller 256 in the chamber 3l, over the sprocket 255, and is wound on the film take-up reel 260. As previously mentioned, rollers 54 and 55 are provided in order to keep the treated illm in contact witl the master sprocket 40. The sprocket 255 is mounted-upon the` support 33 and is provided with a ratchet brake strip 257. The ratchet brake strip 257 is adapted to conand is utilized to dry said the velocity of the' 't 210 so that most of thev in the chamber 31 in taut conf lgether by a coupling tact the hub 256 of the sprocket 255, and thereby prevent the sprocket 255 froml rotating in a clockwise direction.

The film take-up reel 266 is mounted upon a shaft 261 which is journalled in a lever arm 262, mounted on a shaft 263 on which a balancing weight 264 is also mounted. A notch '265 in said balancing weight 264 is adapted to be engaged by a ball 266 which is mounted on a spring in a support 267. The film take-upreel 260 is adapted to be rotated by a friction pulley 268, which is mounted on a shaft 269. The

shaft 263 is iournalled in a member 270. which is secured to the support 33. A pulley 271 isalso mounted upon the shaft 269, which pulley f is connected by means of a belt 274 to a pulley 272 mountedgn the shaft 45. reel 260 is adapted to draw the film from the master sprocket 40, under the weighted roller 250, over sprocket 255, and wind the film upon itself. When it is desired to change the take-up reel, said reel is drawn to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2, when it rests upon the rubber pad 275 on the table 29. When the reel is out of engagement with the friction pulley 268, the sprocket 255 is held from rotation in reverse direction by the brake strip 257 which serves as a ratchet and the film is held taut between sprockets 46 and 255., by means f the weighted roller 250, and as 40, the weighted roller descends in the chamber 31. When the take-up reel 260 has been changed, it is again moved into contact with vthe friction pulley 268, which provides suicient film tension to rotate the take-up reel 260 at a rate whichwinds the film at a rate which is slightly greater than the rate at which it is sprocketed by the master sprocket 40, and .thereby causes the weighted roller 250 to rise in the chamber 31 to its normal operating'position against a stop bar 25011.

The driven take-up 'nlm continues to f enter the chamber 31 from the master sprocket The drier conduit 210 is preferably made o l tubes 350, joined together as shown in Figs. 15 and 16, and coupled to the fittings 230 and 231 by means of coupling devices 351. 350 are preferably of glass so that the lm passing therethrough may be viewed and the ends 352 thereof are ilared as shown in Fig. 15 so as to eliminate sharp corners which might injure the film passing therethrough. On -the ends of the members 351,230, and 231, sealing rings 355 are placed. These sealing rings are preferably made from a resilient material, such as rubber, and are provided with cylindrical external faces 356 of slightly larger diameter than the interior of the coupling members 351 which are each comprised of a pair o cooperating semi-cylindrical halves 357, as shown in Fig. 16, joined together by bolts 358 which pass through lugs 359 extending from the edges of the members 357. Under ordinary circumstances it is. dimcult to obtain accurate diameters in glass tubes of such large vdiameter as required herein; therefore, by use of the sealing means 355 mounted on the ends of the glass tubes 350, we are enabled to employ inaccurately gaged glass tubes such as are now obtainable on the market.

In Fig. 15 we have shown the manner in which the adjacent ends of tubes 350 are joined toshow the manner in which the same coupling device 351 is employed to secure the end of the glass tube 350 to an air tting, such as the nt- The tubes device 351, and in Fig. 8 we s The sectionau vviews Figs. 1a and 14 show p0-4 passes through the drier l sitions of the 111m as it ,conduit 210 o! the 111m treating device. In Fig. 13 we show a portion 381 of the lm slightly curled due to the presence of moisture in the emulsion on the upper -face thereof. Due to being wet, the 111m entering the rightward end of the'drier conduit 210 is ordinarily curled or convexed in this manner, but as the nlm continues through the drier conduitA will atten out. Accordingly we have in Fig. 14 shown a portion 362 or the film in substantially flat condition. It will be noted that regardless of whether the only the edges 383 thereof engage the glass tube 350 thf lm duringits passage through the drying steps ot the process. Although we have shown the glass tubes only in the drier section of the developing, achi'ne, they may be also used to good advantage in place o! the trough-like conduits employed in the wet stages of the machin e. l Having described a form the manner in which the 111m is threaded, we shall describe the operation of the apparatus. Y A leader, preferably of uncoated film, is usually used to thread the apparatus and the 111m to be treated is attached to this leader. The leader is fattached to the last lnr treated and left .'infthe apparatus.

"l'hev pumps 123, 146, 177, 187, and 197 are started. The pump 123 pumps the developing solution from the tank 122 through the pipe line 124 to the tank 125. The solution flows downwardly through the conduit 120 to the tank 126, and from the tank 1'26 downwardly through the conduit 121 to the tank 128, and is returned to the tank 122 by means oi' the pipe 129.

The motor 42 is then started so as to permit the master sprocket 40 to turn, and the flowing liquids in the conduits 120 and 121 o! our invention and 88. over the upper roller 101 and the lower roller o! the positioning device 100, and through the conduits and 121, discharging said nlm in the tank 128. The illm floats around the conduits. The various velocity factors are so toward the film is curved or ilat,`

claim 'calculated that the resultant" velocity o! liquid flow will tend to propel the film through the conduits considerably raster than the speed permaster sprocket venting the development of conduits at such 'rate that the nlm will be pulled too strongly against the rollers at thc turns of the conduits, pulled too strongly against the master sprocket 40.

off the master through the ap- Lv acland moving the of mechanical damage tional driving spools.

The pump 146 pumps the iixing solution from the tank 144 through the pipe line 145 to the 143. The solution ows :from the tank 148 downwardly through the conduit to the tank and from the tank 147, downwardly returned to the tank 144 through the pipe 151.

The propulsive force o! the nxing solution flowing through the conduits 140 and 141 causes the lm to be moved from the tank 128 up through the squeegees 132 which remove the developing solution from the film, over the fixed roller 133, under the roller 142, through the conduit 140, around the roller 148, through the conduit 141, and discharges said nlm into the tank 149.

` 241, the pump 242, and

ico

Leonesa 53, under the roller 170, through the conduit 80, under the roller 179, over the roller 181, nder the roller 182, through the conduit 161, nder the roller 189, over the roller 191, under he roller 192through the conduit 162, under he roller 199, up through the squeegees 203, .nd over the rollers 204 and 205.

The lituids inthe conduits 140, 141, 160, 161, ind 162 are owed through 'said conduits with uflcient velocity so that the liquid wil1-tend ;o propel the film through the conduits at a speed considerably faster than that permitted by the master sprocket 40, thus givingthe conditions .ci rictional overdrivev so that the film will he kept moving in taut condition. However, the iiquids should not be flowed through the conduits at such a rate that the iilm will be pulled too strongly against the ma er sprocket 40 or will he pulled too strongly against the rollers at the ends or the conduits.

In the developing and fixing channels the velocity difference (relative velocity) need be suflcient only to insure the uniform action of the solutions upon the emulsion, while in the washing conduits the lvelocity differences must be sufficient to approximate the ideal washing condition. The ideal velocity is that which is just sufilcient to insure removal of the closely adhering layer oi relatively highly concentrated solution from the emulsion surface as fast as this layer is formed icy diffusion from the emulsion. Higher velocities do not appreciahly increase the washing rate, Tout lower velocities distinctly reduce it. T

Meanwhile, the dehumidifier 240, -the cooler the heater 243 are started. The pump 242 pumps the air through the heater 2413 or through the loy-pass 244, through the pipe 245, to the passageway 222 in the housing 212, which passageway 222 communicates with the drying conduit 210. The other end of the conduit 210 communicates with the housing 236. The housing 236 communicates with the pipe 246 which is adapted to return the air from the housing 23d to the dehumidifier 240.

The propulsive torce of the gas flowing through the conduit 210 causes the nlm to be moved around the weighted roller 206, up through the opening or 'film passageway 211, over the roller 215, through the conduit 210, and over the roller 237 in the iilm passageway 235. The gas is iiowed through said conduit 210 at such a rate that the film will be dried before it reaches the end oi' said conduit, and at such a rate that the film will be kept moving in a taut condition until it passes out oi the opening v238.

The moisture content of the different iilms as they enter the opening 211 varies within certain limits. Ordinarily lwe prefer to condition the drying air and flow the Adrying air through the conduit 210 at such a rate that the film will he dried 'by the time it passes through fournfths of the length of said conduit.

The film is propelled in the lower portion of the conduit and, as shown inv Fig. 13, is curved downward from its center portion due to the moisture content of the emulsion on the upper side thereof. As the film is propelled through the conduit, the emulsion loses most of its moisture content so that the film is straightened out as shown in Fig. 14. However, the film still rides in the lower portion of the conduit.

We prefer to lower the moisture content of the drying air in the dehumidifier 240 and the brine cooler 241 so that the moisture content of the drying air is not more than grains per pound of air. Although we can obtain quicker drying of the film in the conduit 210 by using air havingl a lower moisture content, we find it more economical and obtain perfect drying by varying the temperature of the drying air and the rate of flow of said drying air in the conduit The air is warm and dry as it enters the air passageway 222, but is cool and moist when it leaves the conduit 21u, the progressive evaporation of the water from the film lowering the temperature and at the same time increasing the moisturecontent. 1i the condition of the entering air and the velocity of dow past the film in the conduit 210 are correct, the atmosphere surrounding the film immediately preceding its exit from the conduit 2li) is vmaintained at the correct humidity to insure the most satisfactory condition oi 'the dried nlm.

Normally air will be drawn into the dehumidifier 240 from vthe open airy through a dry filter, rather than to condition the air that has been used to dry the rll'm over again. This is oecause the air leaving the conduit 21o will be'of higher than atmosp 'eric humidity, and the most expensive operation in the conditioning oi the drying air is that oi reducing the moisture content. Only on days of exceptional high huu midity, i. e., when the humidity oi the atmosphere is higher than that oi the air coming irom the conduit 21d, will the latter be recirculated.

As we have already stated, our invention discloses in conjunction with e developing process having many features of novelty, a process of propelling a film strip through the drying treat-l ment by means of the propulsiva iorce o! the drying. gas, and although .we have described its use in connection with a process in which the film is propelled through developing, fixing, and washing solutions hy torce arising 'from the flow of the liquids comprising said solutions, it is obvious that our process of drying the film can be used regardless of the process and apparatus used to develop, fix, or wash the film.

In Fig. 1 we have diagrammatically shown a single complete developing machine including a drier. It is intended that a plurality or such machines he installed in side-by-sde relationship, each receiving a separate length of film and lWorking independent of the remaining machines. These machines, due to their simple construction, may be placed in very close working rrelationship,y and it is a part of the invention to provide means for connecting and securing the conduit or trough members in side-by-side relationship in a minimum of space.

A special and valuable feature of -our invention resides in the following: In Fig. 1 the film is shown leaving the speed control sprocket 40 as indicated at 39, from there passing through the various wet stages of thev device, and finally returning to the sprocket 40 from the outlet end of the drying conduit 210 as indicated at 54a. Were the film cut adjacent the sprocket 40 and the parts 39 and 54a joined together, a continuous or closed loop wouldbe formed extending through the developing machine, and by turning on the various fluids so as to produce the required currents or ows in 'the conduits, this loop of nlm would be caused\ to continuously travel. In a like manner the control sprocket 40 joins the portions 39 and 54am? the film together so as to form in the developing machine 8 the sprocket 4o. s

ing. arm 285a.

d A modification of our film driving mechanism is shown in'Figs. 18 to 21 in which the numeral 40.. 410 indicates a motor, 411 a film supplyreel, 412 and 414 nim guide rollers, 41a a control sprocket, and 415 a take-up reel.

The motor 410 is mounted upon a support 418 and is adapted to drive a shaft 419,` upon 4;, which a worm gear 420 is mounted. The worm gear 420 is adapted to engage a gear 421 which is nonrotatablv mounted upon a shaft 422. 'I'he shaft 422 is .iournaled in bearings 423, which 1n 418 and 424. ne pulley 425 adapted to drive another cone pulley 426 by means o! a belt 427. The cone pulley 426 is freely turnable upon a shaft 428 journaled in bearings 429 which are mounted upon the lower 5;, portions of the supports 418 and 424. A ratchet e 430 is non-rotatably mounted uponv the shaft 428. The teeth of the ratchet are adapted to be engaged by a pawl 431 which is secured to the cone pulley 428 and thereby prevent the shaft 428 from rotating at a rate of speed greater than the speed of the pulley 426. 'I'he roller 412 is mounted upon the support 424 by means of a bracket 432 and is adapted to hold the film in close engagement with a control sprocket 413 turn are mounted upon supports 50 Secured upon the shaft 422 is a co .o which is fixed on the shaft 428.

the leftward end of the shaft 428 is a sheave 433 which is connected as shown in Fig. 21 to a pulley 434 by means of a belt 435. The

pulley 434 is mounted upon a shaft 440 70 to receive the take-up reel 415.

Secured on the shaft 428l adjacent the pulley 433 is a sprocket 436 which is similar to and the same size as the feed sprocket 413.

roller 441 is mounted upon the suppor -75 means of a bracket 442 and is adapted e and elongation of the 111m within the developing machine are compensated for by movement of the weighted roller 208 which preserves a desired tension in the film to prevent ilopping or buckling. .As

previously explained, the sprocket 40 is not driven by power devices but. being connected to a motor through ratchet means, this sprocket cannot rotate above a prescribed speed and therefore controls the speed of travel 1s 111m through the developing machine.

- Two or more conduits may be connected together as shown in Figs. 11 and 12. The edges 280 of conduits 280a.are .outwardly `and then downwardly bent parallel to the vsides 281a of 2o ther conduits, and said edges placed together. A bolt 281 is provided, the upper end oi' winch is dat and has therein a vertical slot 282 and a circular opening 283. The edges 280 have tongues 284 punched therefrom at points opposite 2s the 'upper edges of the circularV openings 283 oi' the bolts 281 to provide abutments 286 to engage 4 the points 285 formed at the upper portions of the holes 283. The bolts 281 are then inserted g through holes 284e in horizontal supporting arms 285a so that the edges 280 extend into the vertical slot 282. The abutments 288 are then broughtinto positions in the circular openings 283 of the bolts 281. Nuts 287 are then threaded onto the lower ends of the bolts 281 and tight- 33 ened in the well known manner, thereby drawing the conduits tightly down against -the supporttain a illm in close engagement with the sprocket 436. 'I'he sprocket 4381s therefore rotated by and at the same rate oi' speed as the feed sprocket 413.

'I'he film take-up reel being mounted upon a shaft 428, is rtotated by friction of slipping mem- As shown in Fig. 19, a nlm is extended over the roller 412, under the sprocket 413, and then up over the guide roller 414, as indicated at 444, from which it passes to the supporting rollers 88 at the entering end of the developing machine shown in Iiig.- 1. The film coming from the 111m take-up reel 415.

The operation of this modification is similar to thatoi' the main film regulating mechanism and therefore need not be described in detail.

. Throughout the nlm-developing device 'shown in Fig. l, guide rollers for a 111mhave been employed. It is a purpose of the invention to pro- For the purpose above set forth, rollers 130. 142, 150, 170, 179, 182, 188, 192, and 199 may be releasably mounted as shown in Fig. 23. Ow-

mounted yin a double-armed lever member 450 consisting of a pair oi' arms 451 extending from a sleeve 452 which is pivoted on a shaft 453 cartreated may be conducted in back-to-back relationship across the various sprockets, and guide rollers, and through the treating troughs or channels of the device: or, as an alternative,

ihepair together on a single film supply reel, in back-toback position. It may be desiredto duplicate -axis of the roller 205 no film-treating device the drying unit or drying conduitI 210 of Fig.

ll as diagrammatically indicated by the tubes 210a and 210b shown in Fig. 122, and also to duplicate the parts associated therewith. Accordingly, in Fig. 22 we have shown rollers 2150. and 2155 at the entering ends-of the tubes 210e and 2l0b. When the pair of lms 460 and 461 leaves the guide roller 204 of the device shown inFig.1,thefllmsmaybe and carried over separate guide rollers 205e and 205D mounted in side-by-side position on the of Fig. l, and the films equipped with a pair of 208e and 206b to provide an for each nlm 460 or 461. We

460 and 461 may be weightedv rollers individual takeup believe that the ducting a pair of films in face-to-face or backto-back position through a single course or path of the device is of considerable importance, and it may be here remarked that we know of now in use which may be increased in capacity in this simple manner.

to be customary practice to increase the nlm treating capacity of a machine by added. I l

Although we have described our invention with respect to certain particular embodiments thereof, nevertheless we do not desire, to be limited to the particular details. shown and described, except as clearly specified in the appended claims, since many changes, modifications, substitutions may be made without departing from our .invention in its broader aspects, and our invention in its broader aspects may be found useful in many other applications thereof.

We claim as our invention:

1. A method of treating film, comprising feeding the lm to an established path of movement at a substantially constant .rate of speed, and producing forward flows of developing, fixing, washing, and drying fluids through consecutive portions of said path of movement in contact with said film and at such rates of flow that said nlm will be moved through said path of movement by said flowing fluids.

2. A method of treating a film, comprising feeding the film to an established path of move- -ment at a`substantially constant rate of speed,

of developing, 11x'- and producing forward flows ing,A washing, and drying fluids through consecutive portions of said path of movement in contact with said film and at such rates of flow that said film will be moved through said path of movement by said flowing fluids, said rates of ow of said fluids being proportioned in a manner to keep the film in taut condition throughout the length of said path of movement.

3. A method of treating a film, comprising feeding the film to an established path of movement at a substantially constant rate of speed, and producing forward hows of developing, fixing, washing, and drying fluids through conof saidv path of movementk in contact with said film and at such rates of flow that said fum will/be moved through said path of movement by said flowing fluids, said rates of flow of said fluids being such as to transmit greater motiv -ting force to said film than is renooiac above discussed feature of conmechanically exerting i described,

a sprocket engaging said quired to move said film through said path of movement.

4. A method of propelling a film strip, which comprises mechanically guiding only the edges of said nlm strip arid producing a dow of gas along and in contact with said nlm.

5. A method of propelling and drying a Afilm strip, which comprises: feeding a film into a path of movement; mechanically guiding only the edges of said gas above and below said film in said path of movement to move said film forwardly and remove the moisture content therefrom. 6. A method strip, path of movement; guiding the edges of said film in said path of movement by walls disposed diagonally with respect to the plane defined by the width of said film; anda producing a fiow of gas above and below said film in said path of movement to move said film forwardly and remove the moisture content therefrom.

7. A method of treating a film strip, comprising: extending the film strip through a path of movement; guiding the film strip at the ends 'of said path of movement so as to prevent rotation in a plane normal to the path of movement; mechanically exerting tension in saidfllzn strip; and producing a owv along said path of movement with said lm.

8. A method of treating a nlm strip, ing: extending the film strip through movement; guiding the film strip at the ends of said path of movement so as to prevent rotation 'in a plane normal to the path ofl movement; tension intermediate the and producing a flow of and in contact a path of ends of said nlm strip;

' treating fluid along said path of movement and.`

in contact with said film. l

9. A film treating apparatus of the character described, including: members providing a path of movement for a film; means for producing a flow of treating ment and in engagement with said film to treat said iilm and propel the same through said path of movement; and means at the entering end of said path of movement functioning only to limit the speed at which the film may be drawn into said path of movement, the speed of flow of said treating fluid movement of -constant.tension in said nlm tending to move said film faster than said limiting means.

l0. A film treating apparatus of the character including: members providing a path film; means for producing a of movement; and means at the entering end of said path of movement for limiting the speed at which the film 'may be drawn into said path of movement, said limiting means `comprising film and a rotatable member movable at a controlled speed, with means connecting said sprocket and said rotatable member in such a manner that said sprocket can not be rotated faster than said rotatable member.

11. A nlm treating apparatus of the character described, including:

means for producing a. flow of treating uid along said path of movement and in engagement with said iilmto treat said film and propel the same through said path film; and producing a now of of treating fluid comprisfiuid along said path of movemembers providing a path vof movement forv a film;

of movement; means at the entering end of said path of movement for limiting the speed at which the film may be drawn into said path of movement, said limiting means comprising a sprocket engaging said film and a rotatable member movable at a controlled speed, with meansconnecting said sprocket and said rotatable member in such a manner that said sprocket can not be rotated faster than said rotatable member; and sprocket means connected to said sprocket so as to rotate in synchronism therewith, said sprocket means engaging said film at the exit end of said path of movement.

12. A film treating apparatus oi the character described, including: members providing apath of movement for a. film; means for producing a iiow of treating iiuid along said'path of movement and in engagement with said film to treat said lm and propel the same through said path of movement; means at the entering end of said path of movement for limiting the speed nlm may be drawn into said path of movement, said limiting means comprising a sprccket engaging said nlm and a rotatable member movable at a controlled speed, with means connecting said sprocket and said rosprocket means Afor producing a positive tension :i5 in said iilm.

a sprocket engaging said lxn and a member movable at rotatable a controlled speed, with scribed, including: a series of trol sprocketjmeans for holding the entering end of said iilml in vengagement with said holding the leaving end ot said control sprocket;

said auxiliary sprockets and said control sprocket 16. A film treating device oi' the character detogether in consecutive order 17. A film treating device of the character described, including: a series of conduits connected together in consecutive order so that a iilm may be conducted continuously therethrough; and meansgfordeliyerng a fluid through the last of said conduits; forward direction and then in reverse consecutive order through each oi the preceding conduits so that the iiuid will be finally discharged from the iirst oi' said conduits.. l

18. A nlm treating device of the character described, including: a conduit through which a llm to be treated is extended; a tluid chamber member having' its side wall connectedv to the end of said conduit in a plane above the bottom of said chamber member; a guide roller in said chamber member adjacent the end of said conduit; and a perforate wall in said chamber member under said guide roller.

19. A film treating device of the character described, including: lilm treating means into in engagement with said sprocket;

for simultaneously stopping said sprocket and releasing same from said rotary"part.

20. A film treating device of fora iilm reel; to said film reel for actuating said stopping means.

21. In a lm treating device of the character described, a conduit structure including: a ntting having a tube-receiving bore; a tube of external diameter smaller than the internal and a sealing member the internal diameter of said tting.

22. In a iilm treating device of the character described, a conduit structure including: a ntting having a cylindrical wall comprised of cooperating parts separably secured together; a

`rollers in position drying chamber for a Leonesa glass tube having'anend portion of a diameter adapted to fit into the opening formed by -said cylindrical wall, said end portion of said glass tube being flared voutwardly at its extremity; and sealing means on the end of said glass tube comprising an annular wall of yieldable material having an external diameter substantially equal to the diameter of said opening.

23. A film-treating apparatus of the character described, including: of" movement for a pair of films; means for delivering a pair of films into said path ofmovement in contact; means for independently propelling said films through said path of movement; and means treating fluid during their movement through said path of movement.

24. A film-treating apparatus of the character described, including: a plurality of consecutive film-treating chambers through which a film to be treated maybe conducted; guide rollers deiining a path of movement for said film through said treating chambers, said guide rollers being movably mounted whereby to decrease the length of said path of movement; and releasable latch means for normally holding said guide defining said path of movement. i

25. A film treating apparatus of the character described, comprising; walls forming a treating chamber for containing a liquid; entering sprocket means at the forward end of said treating chamber over which a film may pass into such treating chamber; walls forming a drying gas, said drying chamber being adjacent said treating lchamber and receiving said film from said treating chamber; take-off sprocket means at the rear end of said drying chamber over which dry film may pass to a suitable receiver; and means for moving said liquid and said drying gas respectively through said chambers at sufficient velocity to move saidlm forwardly therein.

26. A film treating apparatus of the character described, comprising: walls forming a treating chamber for containing a.. liquid; entering means providing a pathv for subjecting said films to take-off sprocket sprocket means at the forward end oi said treat-l ing chamber overk which a film may pass into such treating chamber; walls forming a drying chamber for a drying gas, said drying chamber being adjacent said treating chamber and rey ceiving said film from. said treating chamber; take-off sprocket means at the rear end of said drying chamber over which dry film may pass to a suitable receiver; means for moving said liquid in said treating chamber at a velocity sufiicient to propel said film; and means drivably connecting said sprocket means.

27. A film treating apparatus of the character described, comprising: walls forming a treating chamber `:for containing a liquid; entering sprocket means at the forward end of said treatwhich a film may pass into such treating chamber; walls 'forming aA drying chamber for a drying gas, said drying chamber being yadjacent said treating chamber and receiving said film from said treating chamber; means at therear end of said drying chamber over which dry-film may pass to a suitable receiver; means for moving said liquid insaid treating chamber at a velocity sufficient to, propel said film; connecting said sprocket means; and means for mechanically exerting tension inthe film which extends between said sprocket means.

28. A film treating apparatus of the character described, comprising: walls forming a treating chamber forv containing a liquid; means for guiding said film into said treating chamber; walls forming a drying chamber for a drying gas, said drying chamber being adjacent said treating chamber and receiving said film from said treating chamber; take-off sprocket means at the rear end of said drying chamber over which dry film may pass to a suitable receiver; and means for moving said liquid in said treating chamber so as to move said film forwardly therein.

THOMAS M. INGMAN. FRANK E. GARBUTT. LEIGH M.V GRIFFITH.

means drivably 

